Civil Marriage

A civil marriage is celebrated in front of an officiant authorized by law. When the officiant is a notary, the ceremony comes with legal information about the rights and duties of spouses and about the choice of a matrimonial regime.

The ceremony can be simple or personalized, with words from the spouses, their witnesses or their families.

The place of the ceremony is agreed with the officiant. Details about our rooms will be added here.

• Legal advice on the effects of marriage
• Explanation of the matrimonial regimes
• Preparation of a marriage contract if you wish
• Help with the formalities before and after the ceremony

• Notaries
• Clerks and deputy clerks of the Superior Court
• Mayors and members of municipal councils
• Municipal officers designated by the Minister of Justice
• A relative or friend with a one-time authorization

The first step is to open your file, in person or remotely. You provide your identification, birth certificates and any documents showing the end of a previous marriage or union. A notice of marriage is published, and the ceremony can take place once the waiting period set by law has passed.

You then choose the date, the place and your two witnesses. After the ceremony, the record of the marriage is sent to the registrar of civil status.

• Two pieces of valid identification with photo for each spouse
• Two pieces of valid identification for each witness
• The original birth certificate of each spouse
• A divorce certificate, if one of the spouses is divorced
• A death certificate, if one of the spouses is widowed

A marriage contract lets you choose a matrimonial regime other than the default one. A notary can look at your situation and prepare a contract if it suits you.

Read our guide for step-by-step information on preparing a civil marriage in Quebec.